UPC is a non-governmental organisation that works with marginalised urban communities, using holistic and participatory approaches. It places priority on the interests of the people, in the belief that marginal urban communities are the main subjects and stakeholders with access and control over the consortium's activities.

 

VISION STATEMENT

The UPC works toward an ideal that the people's sovereignty, independence, knowledge and creativity, can eradicate poverty, fulfil their practical and strategic needs and be able to shape their individual futures and the futures of their communities.

 

STRATEGY AND PROGRAMME

The UPC works to develop the critical awareness of the people through dissemination of information. Its believes that accurate and relevant information will generate individual or collective action, to change the unjust and oppressive reality. Collective action, in this regard, opens up political consciousness and a drive to participate in public decision-making. Such actions, in the process, will result in well-organised and effective activities that unify creative energy and strengthen the social cohesion of the groups, in the struggle for a just and democratic society.

The UPC implements this strategy through:

- information dissemination and the development of people?s media of expression, using multimedia

- advocacy

- the development of grassroots organisations

- the promotion of inter-community and inter-urban poor groups

- activities to address the practical needs of the urban poor, such as improvement of economic, education, health, and housing conditions.

 

ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK

UPC is a working forum with a flexible and open organisational framework. Members of the forum constitute the organisation's decision-making body. Programmes are implemented with the participation of members, based on their individual expertise and coordinated by the secretariat.